The brave actress says she couldn’t escape the ‘dark cloud’ of depression — even when her husband Michael Douglas was declared cancer-free!

Catherine Zeta-Jones says the way her deep sadness lingered after doctors told Michael Douglas his throat cancer was gone made her realize she had to get treatment. And now she wants the world to know “there is no shame in seeking help” for bipolar disorder.

“This is a disorder that affects millions of people, and I am one of them,” Catherine, 41, tells People magazine. “If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it. There is no need to suffer silently.”

The Oscar-winning actress, now filming the romantic comedy Playing The Field, has the courage to speak out about checking into Sillver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Conn., after being unable to shake her depression.

“I think she looked at Michael and went, ‘You know what? He’s getting a second chance. We’re getting a second chance. I have every reason to celebrate, and I’m going to give myself a second chance, too,'” a friend tells People.

Catherine had battled anxiety shooting 2004’s Ocean’s Twelve, when a stalker was threatening her. She found her sadness inescapable for years. Therapy and medication failed to help. Then her five days in Silver Hill gave her an answer: a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder, the mental illness whose sufferers face long bouts of depression that alternate with manic periods.

“It takes a lof courage to seek help, and I am very proud of Catherine for doing something positive about her situation,” Michael, 66, tells People. “It’s onwards and upwards for both of us.”

We all hope so! Catherine is very brave to reveal the details of her illness and how it has affected her life with Michael, their son Dylan, 10, and daughter, Carys, 8. She certainly sounds like she is on a better path now.